Chapter 230

"Dead warriors?" Shen Tang asked, surprised. "Like Yang Dechang before? Is someone behind this?"

"Not necessarily that type, but there could be assassins operating in the shadows. If there's support, it's more likely to come from powerful cultivators of more distant sects... The Incense Pavilion also had a network of connections before, but the Emperor's decree suppressed it, so no one dared to step forward. Do the East River Gang or Lingyun Sect not have any connections? It wouldn't be too difficult for them to bring out someone of the second or even first rank to exert pressure."

Shen Tang's expression became serious. Her judgment had been skewed by the lack of involvement from other factions in the previous Incense Pavilion incident, making her forget that it had been a special case. The Emperor's direct order had severed the Incense Pavilion's most powerful external network as an alchemy sect. Furthermore, if any alchemists trained by the Incense Pavilion, who had established themselves in other forces, still held grudges, they would now become entirely hostile forces.

Lu Xingzhou comforted her, "It's not that serious. While alchemists hold good positions within their respective factions, they aren't quite qualified to influence the level of a sect war. If the Incense Pavilion were still active, they could indeed forge many alliances. But with the Incense Pavilion gone, that's unlikely to happen. At most, there might be a few individuals... What's more worth noting are the patrons with whom the Incense Pavilion and the East River Gang themselves had friendly ties. Do we have any intelligence on that?"

Shen Tang immediately replied, "Yes, I'll have someone fetch the information for you."

"Alright." The two exchanged a smile, recalling how the Incense Pavilion's attacking army had crumbled after they had Watermelon Girl obtain intelligence on them. Several of them are now core members of the Skyfaring Sword Sect. From then on, Shen Tang placed great importance on collecting information about other factions.

"I'll go back and call a meeting. Are you coming?" Shen Tang asked cheerfully.

"I won't. I have a letter here, and I'll use this time to visit the new prefect."

Shen Tang left feeling refreshed, casting a glance at Madam Ye as she went. *You won't let me meet Xingzhou? How can we conduct our crucial official discussions as Sect Leader and Guest Advisor without meeting?* She forgot, however, that if it were truly just official business, they could have met openly in a public meeting, rather than in private...

Ye Tinglan, at this moment, couldn't be bothered with her foolish gaze, though she was somewhat thoughtful herself. *What a classic scene of a ruler consulting with their trusted prime minister... Such harmony between a ruler and minister is indeed a prerequisite for a faction's rise.*

*Does Gu Zhanting still have such a person by his side? He also has his own "Lu Xingzhou," but he keeps him at arm's length. He even harbors intentions to counterbalance Pei Qingyan. He does have a similar understanding with the Huo family, but their capabilities are truly limited. When martial artists act as strategists, they often propose rather aggressive ideas... One only needs to look at that altar to know that Gu Zhanting would never have conceived of such a thing, whether consulting Pei Qingyan or his national preceptor.*

*But Shen Tang isn't like this because she's a benevolent ruler open to advice; she's simply head-over-heels in love and easily swayed by pillow talk! If Lu Xingzhou were to go astray, wouldn't she become a classic wicked consort leading the world to chaos?* Ye Tinglan massaged her temples.

Actually, on this particular matter, it wasn't truly Shen Tang's being head-over-heels in love at play. Ye Tinglan found it difficult to truly grasp the psychological experience Shen Tang had when, in her despondency and even contemplating suicide, she met Lu Xingzhou and was supported by him as she rapidly rose to become a regional overlord. It was as if if Lu Xingzhou merely broke wind, she would believe it was right, possessing an absolutely blind trust that had little to do with whether they were romantically involved. Love merely ensured their relationship wouldn't become distant or guarded; even without it, her trust in Lu Xingzhou's judgment wouldn't be affected.

Just like this time, what Lu Xingzhou said wasn't some groundbreaking insight. In fact, Shen Tang herself had implicitly considered these matters, and over the past few days, some individuals in the sect meetings had also put forth similar, albeit rougher, ideas. It wasn't necessary for everything to wait for Lu Xingzhou to propose it; not everyone was idle. However, whether she thought of it herself or others suggested it, these were all subjects for consideration and discussion. But when Lu Xingzhou spoke, it was a direct decision—it simply had to be done that way. More than a military advisor or strategist, he was a stabilizing force. If he said it, then it was feasible, and Lu Xingzhou would surely have considered all the details. If even Lu Xingzhou couldn't be trusted, then no one could.

Without a word, Shen Tang returned to Danxia Mountain to convene a meeting. She directly ordered the resumption of the Skyfaring Sword Sect's old escort services and designated Shen's Trading Company as a commercial transit hub, publicly announcing in Xia Prefecture that they would begin accepting goods for transit. Most of the pills and flying swords previously sold externally had been entrusted to the East River Gang for distribution in East River Prefecture. Now, all transactions with the East River Gang were directly terminated.

Tang Yunzhong and other old retainers were overjoyed. Although this work wasn't particularly high-end, to those who cherished the past, it was akin to an "ancestral business," something they felt a strong emotional connection to. Furthermore, for sword cultivators, this type of work was far more suitable than growing herbs or refining pills. The process of undertaking missions was also a path for their own cultivation, unlike the current situation of merely isolated cultivation, which always felt somewhat unfulfilling. Tang Yunzhong immediately took charge of the matter and went straight to work.

Zhang Shaoyou asked meaningfully, "Are you planning to sever ties with the East River Gang?"

Shen Tang smiled, "It was bound to happen sooner or later."

Zhang Shaoyou also smiled, "True. After all, Elder Lu is back."

Shen Tang's smile was brilliant. "Going forward, I might need to trouble Hall Master Zhang to exert more effort."

Zhang Shaoyou shook his head, chuckling, "Sect Leader, have you forgotten? When Buwang and I were at the Incense Pavilion, we were rivals with the East River Gang and had some old grudges. When it comes to opposing the East River Gang, we'll certainly be the most enthusiastic."

Shen Tang realized this, too, and laughed, "When you were rivals with them back then, your cultivation wasn't as strong as it is now. Since you've all grown much stronger, have you been eager to give them a beating?"

"That thought has crossed our minds," Zhang Shaoyou sighed. "However, our foundation is much weaker than others'. Even if other factions don't have reclusive old ancestors, they often have friends in the martial world to assist them. We, on the other hand, have ridiculously few connections, and our network is confined to Xia Prefecture itself, making it far too weak."

Shen Tang smiled faintly, "Who says we don't? At the very least, the East River Gang hasn't managed to establish connections with the new prefect."

Zhang Shaoyou was astonished. "I heard the new prefect is impenetrable. When did you quietly establish this connection, Sect Leader?"

Shen Tang's smile was radiant. "I have Lu Xingzhou."

Zhang Shaoyou: "..." *This brazen act of leveraging connections is nothing like the usually decisive Sect Leader. Anyone unaware might think you were being kept... Oh, but when a woman is supported by a man, I suppose it isn't called 'eating soft rice'?*

At this moment, Lu Xingzhou knocked on the prefectural manor's gate. Since the prefectural seat was relocating, the prefect and his subordinates were naturally the first to move. Prefect Zhang Rong had arrived in Xia Prefecture a few days prior. Xu Bingkun's former city lord's mansion had been renovated over a long period; it had previously housed the new city lord, but now it served as the prefectural manor.

In the few days since Zhang Rong had arrived, various factions in Xia Prefecture had swarmed him, attempting to forge connections. However, Zhang Rong had just relocated the prefectural seat and was overwhelmed with countless urgent matters. He had no time to entertain these provincial factions. All who sought an audience were turned away, unable to even see him. Shen Tang had been proactive; she had arranged an introduction through connections at the Prefectural Demon Suppressing Division, such as Wan Cheng, back when Zhang Rong was still in East River. Unfortunately, she hadn't managed to forge a strong relationship, merely becoming a familiar face.

Without revealing her princess identity, a local sect with no deep roots truly held little prestige before the head of a prefecture. Even connections with the Demon Suppressing Division were useless. Especially since she had sought connections through Wan Cheng... Wan Cheng was aligned with the Huo family, whereas Zhang Rong was Pei Qingyan's man. If it weren't for the fact that factional disputes wouldn't typically extend to this provincial level, she might even have faced repercussions.

It was against this backdrop that Lu Xingzhou knocked on the prefectural manor's gate, presenting an envelope that appeared to be a formal calling card. Many people covertly watched, and those who recognized Lu Xingzhou chuckled to themselves, thinking he was out of touch after being away for several months and was about to be turned away again.

The next moment, the main gate swung wide open, and Zhang Rong emerged with a beaming smile. "Haha, Grand Scholar Lu, your visit illuminates my humble abode! At the beginning of the year, I was also in the capital, but unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to meet you. To think that fate has brought us together today!" Zhang Rong affectionately took Lu Xingzhou's arm and ushered him inside.

*Slam!* The gate closed, leaving the onlookers dumbfounded. *Why did Lu Xingzhou get such a grand welcome, arm-in-arm, through the main gate? Is being the top scholar of the Alchemy Academy that impressive?*

Ye Tinglan sighed from a distance. *What top scholar of the Alchemy Academy? Even I, a first-rank master of the Alchemy Academy, don't receive such treatment.*

Zhang Rong wasn't foolish. The intimate relationship between Lu Xingzhou and Pei Chuyun was widely known throughout the capital, but that wasn't the main point. The key was that Pei Qingyan hadn't broken Lu Xingzhou's legs. What did that signify? One moment, Pei Qingyan's letter asking him to assist Lu Xingzhou arrived, and the next, Lu Xingzhou showed up with Meng Guan's private letter. What did *that* signify?

Ye Tinglan suddenly realized something... At least eighty percent of the reason Lu Xingzhou went to the capital and entered the Alchemy Academy was for Shen Tang. This included his previous regret about "connections" and such; these weren't things Lu Xingzhou himself would typically care about. The reason he cared about them was to pave the way for Shen Tang. This was true harmony between husband and wife, and between ruler and minister. Shen Tang's being head-over-heels in love was worthwhile because he was worth it. There's a specific idiom for this kind of harmony between sovereign and minister: "like a fish in water." But if the fish has clearly gotten what it wanted, why is it still like this?